6 months later

Maryam and Zarah stared at the room skeptically, this is the third room they're checking out and this one looks more hazardous than the last one. Infact, the first room looks to be in the best condition. When the matron saw their alarmed expression, she chuckled softly.
     "Listen, I've already told you the hostels were built on ranges......"

      "You absolutely did not" Zarah squeaked loudly before exiting the room in utter disgust. Maryam chuckled softly, because she did remember hearing the older woman say so. But Zarah was so bent on seeing the Zuma hostel because it had the fanciest name according to her. Okay, the truth is the other hostels aren't very fancy with names. They were named after the greatest women in Nigerian history. The names ranged from Kuti to Kale, but each hostel had a payment range and had Zarah not concluded she wanted to go to the Zuma hostel, which is a surprise since Zuma isn't named after a woman unlike the others, she would have realized the Kuti hostel stood highest on the hierarchy of hostels.

     "These hostels are all on a range, the lowest paid accomodation is......"

     "The us the highest, and take us there right away" Zarah interrupted, the same way she had interrupted the woman the first time. The woman glared at Zarah, but she was so busy arranging her veil she hadn't noticed she was getting on the older woman's last nerves. They walked a total of 15 minutes with Zarah hissing and complaining throughout the not so long journey. Baba direba was literally parked in front of the Kuti hostel, Zarah glared at Maryam who beamed innocently at her making Zarah smile too. She knew it was partly her fault for making them end up in that hostel.

The woman used the key and pushed the door open tiredly. Maryam and Zarah threaded behind her as she walked in. The scent of the fresh flowers planted around the courtyard is definitely a sign of comfortability.
     "Most of the rooms have already been occupied, most students want comfort. I have two rooms for grabs, are you going to be sharing a room?" The woman asked Maryam because with all indication, Zarah is most definitely not her favorite person at the moment.

     "It depends on the size" Zarah volunteered making the woman scowl, much to Maryam's amusement.  She nodded slowly then stopped on the room no 9. Zarah practically squealed on seeing the space, she walked giddily into the room as she imagined how she would set it all up, until it's a replica of her room. It had a bed frame and ofcourse a table and chair on each side of the room. There was a smaller version of a walk in closet at the end of the wall and ofcourse an adjoining bathroom on the right side and the adjoining kitchen on the left side.

     "I love it! Is there any difference between this room and the second option?" Zarah asked blinking cutely at the woman who smiled. It turns out, Zarah could be less irritating if she was getting what she wants.

     "Not at all. It doesn't have an adjoining bathroom, you'd have to share with the people from the next room" the woman explained. Zarah turned to Maryam awaiting approval, when Maryam nodded, she jumped giddily and told the woman they would be taking the room. The funds were paid into the supposed bank account, and all the paper work signifying the proof of payment were stamped and just a few weeks from now, Maryam and Zarah would be starting the new university in Abuja.

After her mother had persuaded her, Zarah came to terms with studying in Nigeria, where as Noorie stood her ground. Infact she made it perfectly clear she would rather learn a skill than school here. Maryam was never the type to make a fuss, so Alhaji Matazu had called a friend of his, who is now the Vice Chancellor at Kwali university, Abuja. It took six months, but he secure admission for Maryam and Zarah.

Kwali University, Nigeria was named after the sensational Ladi Dosei Kwali. It is one of the oldest universities in Nigeria which had still maintained it's honor. It has a very high standard and only the smarty pants attended this university. Zarah isn't a smarty pants like Maryam but she knew field well enough to pass the entrance examination and secure herself an admission there. Where as Maryam was prepping to be a medical doctor, Zarah is obsessed with Law. The girl could literally talk her way out of any trouble, ofcourse being a lawyer is the only thing that would suit her.

Baba Direba nodded slowly to the groove playing on the Fm when Maryam and Zarah got to him.
     "Kun Gama?¹" He had asked sitting up abruptly. Both girls nodded before sliding into the car. They kept giggling and talking about God knows what. Baba Direba had a smile etched on his face as he watched them through the rare view. Maryam had gotten a little light in her eyes for the past six months. The helps and even the gate man had noticed the change, Mama wasn't being mean to Maryam anymore. Infact, she includes Maryam in all her outing and had warned all of the younger ones never to be disrespectful towards Maryam. Noorie had noticed too, but she believes it's a facade that would definitely fail, and Maryam would be back to being miserable so she hadn't even bothered herself with it.

Mommy on the other hand is so busy being angry at Maryam for accepting the Nigerian university, she ignores her most of the time, so she hadn't noticed the recent bond formed between Maryam and her co-wife.

     "I love the idea of staying out here, at least Noorie would not torment you into failing, even though she had never succeeded in coming between you and your books. How on Earth do you even succeed. With Noorie and your mother on my head, I would definitely fail woefully" Zarah had lamented, but Maryam only smiled. She had never ever found it in her to talk about her own mother and half sister. It made her feel like a hypocrite. "Mama said, if we allow you stay at home, your mother would find a way of frustrating you" Zarah added typing away on her phone. She Maryam hadn't replied, she looked up.
     "I understand, you cannot talk about your mother, pardon my insensitivity" Zarah had said with a smile. Maryam beamed at her and both girls remained in a comfortable silence until they got home.

On getting home, Zarah enthusiastically relayed everything that had happened at the hostel hunt, while Maryam went to her mother who is refusing to grant Maryam audience in a bid to get her to stay back home like Noorie. As Maryam offloaded the long hijab she had on, and started folding it, her mother came in with the signature frown.

     "I heard Noorie telling her mother about hostel. So, Maryam you're invariably trying to tell me you'll not change your mind about schooling here, after everything I've explained" her mother had said sitting down in front of the vanity. Maryam sighed softly, her mother's explanation hadn't included how she wanted her to be a doctor for herself, but specifically because she needed to help her mother spite her co-wife. She had went on and on about how jealous she wanted to make the older woman.

     "Mama the school fee has been settled already, there is nothing I can do about it" Maryam defended lamely.

     "Had you listened to me, we would not be here right now. You think that woman likes you, she doesn't and she would not care just because she has sacrificed one of her children's future to get you to destroy your own life" her mother lamented further. Maryam sighed softly because she cannot argue with her mother. She had hoped her mother would support her decision to remain in Nigeria without being so pessimistic about it.

     "Mama had nothing to do with my decision mommy. I decided to stay here because I don't want to waste a year. I am already lacking behind....."

     "It is that Zaria boy, isn't it?"

     "Mommy Khalid has....."

      "You're wasting your time thinking that boy loves you, he's just like his mother. They will pick money over everything" she concluded banging the bathroom door after sliding inside. Maryam could only sigh. Her mother finds any way to get a jab at Khalid. It's like the thought of Khalid and his family literally makes her skin crawl. It's more frustrating because she had literally been married into that family.

Noorie came in giggling at something on her phone. Her smiled settled into a deep frown when she saw Maryam. Maryam ignored her and started sorting through her clothes. She needed to start packing up for school. At least she would have a break from Noorie's death glares.

*****
Iman sat opposite his father at the staffs' cafeteria in the hospital where he was serving as an intern. His father peered at his hands as he rubbed them together after thirty seconds over and over again, they seemed to be quite interesting, he had wanted to speak with his son for the past six months and he doesn't even have the right words to use.

Meanwhile, Iman busied himself with his thoughts, as he remembers how chaotic these six months have been. When his father had shown up, they had all lost their peace during the first and second week. He could not get out of bed and his mother had proved to be so efficient, because she had made it her duty to feed him. He felt useless and utterly helpless. When the neighbors became concerned about the strange man who sat on their porch all through the day, occasionally banging on the door literally crying out to be heard, his mom had had quite enough of it. She had threatened to call the police. But he had been so adamant and willing to receive any punishment as long as she would hear him out. After assuring the neighbors he wasn't some serial killer, they had decided to mind their businesses.

Iman could remember the afternoon she came back looking all flushed and bothered, she kept swallowing and stuttering, he immediately knew she had gone to see his father. His mother had never ever looked so vulnerable, she had been on several dates which ended up going down the drain, because she hadn't seen who she felt is worthy. He realized why those dates had been unsuccessful, she is definitely still in love with his father.

Iman had been so angry with her, when she tried talking about his father, as if he had missed out on any of the saga that went on while he was six; as if he wasn't the one who had suffered most in the process of the divorce; as if he hadn't been the one who had endured moving from a country to another in search of a better treatment for his younger brother's health. What did she think she could say that would make it all go away? She should have allowed him stay out there for however long he wanted to. He had laid his bed, so she should have allowed him lay on it.

     "Just hear me out. Let me explain, don't go all judgemental on me" she had stated exasperatedly making him stop on his tracks. "Your father, he was going through things which is actually not in my place to tell. But I was hoping, you would at least give him a chance to explain to you, you need that closure and you know it" she had explained tiredly.

Iman hadn't said a word before exiting his home that day. He had all sorts of practicals and exams, so he focused all his energy on it. What helped him get by was the fact that he did not have to come back home to his mother's pleading faces at the time. He stopped coming home for some time, but the day he had decided to visit, which was after his exams before getting posted as an intern. His mother had practically begged him to see his father. That led to a heated argument between them, there was a lot of yelling but he refused to yield. He had picked up a few clothes, boarded a taxi and went straight to Bash's apartment.

Bash did not pry, he knew how Iman gets when he is angry. He had called Iman's mother though, to let her know he was with him. Islam knew something wasn't right at home when he saw his brother's clothes scattered around, and the shoe closet widely opened. He refused to ask though, he knew it had something to do with their father. He had met the man too, but hadn't been too warm knowing he must have done terrible things to get mom and Iman angry at him.

On the sixth month of Iman's little departure from home, Islam had gone in search of him on the streets of London. He knew Bash's apartment, so he headed there after going to the supposed hospital Iman was supposed to be an intern. Islam stared at his brother who suddenly felt really guilty for leaving home with no tangible explanation to his little brother.

They chatted for a while, and Islam tried to make him understand he had every right to be angry at their father and that he had almost lost his life as a child because of his father's misbehaviour. Then he had explained, how he had been so sick afterwards and how they had needed to leave Nigeria because of his ailment. But the last thing he had said to break Iman's resolve was;
     "It doesn't matter, we cannot change the past. It has happened, and there's nothing anyone of us can do. But, you can change the future with your actions. No one is saying to forgive him, that is totally your choice, but hear him out"

And hence, here is Iman and his father, seated opposite each other awkwardly.
     "For a man who spent six months traumatizing his ex-wife and kids, it's weird you're mute after getting your dearest heart desires" Iman gritted out disrespectfully making his father cower in shame.

     "I am sorry for bothering you. I just wanted to......." He could not continue, as he felt a lump creeping its way up his throat. Iman sighed dramatically, not fazed by his father's attempt to cry, he wore a bored expression.

     "Why did you come back now?" Iman asked grumpily.

      "I couldn't find it in myself to face you at that time" he had stated exasperatedly. Iman was making him nervous. It had been tough to talk to Jay, but Iman seemed to have topped the chart with his mean attitude "Iman I had a mental break down, I was devastated, I was miserable and angry. I knew I needed to make myself better, that was why I stayed away" he stated calmly. Iman stared at him, but when his father looked up, Iman turned away.

     "It's been sixteen years already. We've managed fine without you" Iman spat out with a deep frown. His father nodded slowly, he understands where the anger is coming from. Instead of pathetically apologizing, he decided to change the subject.

     "You're all grown now. For missing out on everything, I was hoping you would work at the family hospital back in Abuja...." Iman could not help but burst into laughter. A laughter laced with so much anger and irritation, but his father continued nonetheless. "When I realized you were studying to be a medical doctor, I decided to open up a private hospital for you, it's my own way of showing you how sorry and how interested I am on being a part of your life again"

Iman became dumbfounded. He wondered quietly how his mother had fallen for this man. He really doesn't know a thing about being emotional. He literally just threw money in his face as a consolation price for not being there. Iman gulped down his coffee in one go, then he stood up without a word and left his father seated humbly wondering what he might have done wrong.